WHAT IS THE CORRELATION BETWEEN SPORT ACTIVITY AND CIVIC INVOLVEMENT OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SCHOOL LIFE?

Introduction

In recent times, the popularity of sports activities among high school students has been on the decline due to different technological advancements and the rising belief that "power is knowledge." However, sport participation plays a crucial role in maintaining health and tackling health issues such as depression, insomnia, emotional burnout, academic pressure and others. This research aims to explore the impact of sports activities on students' involvement in school life, which includes participation in clubs, extracurricular activities, and volunteering.

Research Context and Hypotheses

Previous studies offer mixed perspectives on the influence of sports on school engagement. Some suggest sports may lead to poor attendance (Brown, 2014), while others highlight the benefits of sports in improving physical and mental health. This study seeks to fill the gap by examining the direct or indirect correlation between sports activities and school engagement.

Hypotheses:

Sports exercises increase civil engagement in school life.

Participation in sports enhances the likelihood of students becoming involved in school activities.

Lack of sports participation negatively impacts school engagement.

Research Questions:

Does sports activity directly influence school life involvement, or are there latent variables?

What external factors influence school life involvement aside from sports?

Does sports participation interfere with academic performance?

Literature Review

The literature review highlights various perspectives on the relationship between sports participation and school engagement. Key studies include:

Guest and Schneider (2003): This research found that the school environment mediates the relationship between extracurricular activities and outcomes like academic achievement, social adjustment, and emotional well-being. It also noted that sports participation's impact varies by school socio-economic status.

Bailey et al. (2009): This study, citing WHO (1998), emphasized that sports enhance self-esteem, psychological well-being, and reduce stress, which are crucial for coping with high school pressures.

Hwang (2013): A longitudinal study using NELS-88 data, found that athletic identity and sports participation enhance soft skills and cultivate self-discipline and time management in students, contributing to educational success.

Brown (2014): This research discussed the potential negative impacts of sports on education, such as creating a hostile environment in PE classes and lowering self-esteem for non-athletic students.

Bang (2020): This research claims that sports participation and volunteering significantly enhance self-esteem and school engagement but noted that sports alone might not directly increase civic engagement in school life.

Methodology

This research employed a mixed-methods approach to understand the impact of sports on school engagement. The study involved a small sample size of six high school students (three males and three females) known for their involvement in sports or school activities. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using deductive coding.

Findings

The findings indicate a positive attitude towards sports among all participants. However, only half of them actively participated in school life. Key insights include:

• Attitude Towards Sports: All respondents viewed sports positively for physical and mental health benefits.
• Frequency of Sports Participation: Only 33% engaged in sports 3-4 times a week; others cited busy schedules as a barrier.
• Sports as a Serious Activity: None considered sports a serious future activity.
• Skills Developed Through Sports: Participants mentioned skills such as strategic thinking, emotional stability, endurance, and self-discipline but found it hard to connect these directly to school engagement.
• Factors Influencing School Involvement: Future education aspirations, peer influence, and teacher encouragement were significant motivators.

Discussion

The research confirms that sports participation does not directly influence civic engagement in school life. However, sports indirectly enhance engagement through improved soft skills. High school students primarily view sports as a stress-reliever rather than a serious pursuit. The study's findings align with previous research suggesting that sports positively affect various aspects of students' lives, including their educational outcomes, albeit indirectly.

ConclusionThe study concludes that sports activities positively impact high school students' engagement in school life, primarily through the development of soft skills. While sports participation itself may not directly lead to higher involvement in school activities, it fosters qualities that contribute to overall student involvement. The research highlights the importance of sports in high school education and suggests that increasing PE lessons could further enhance students' overall development and involvement in school life.

RecommendationsFor future research, a larger sample size and more comprehensive data collection methods could provide more accurate and generalized results. Schools should consider promoting sports not only for physical health benefits but also for their potential to improve students' engagement and soft skills essential for their academic and personal growth.